U.S. patent application number 13/948902 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-28 for rack system for power storage battery modules.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Chem, Ltd. The applicant listed for this patent is LG Chem, Ltd. Invention is credited to Bum-Hyun LEE, Mi-Jung PARK.
Application Number | 20130313953 13/948902 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47072893 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130313953 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Bum-Hyun ; et
al. |
November 28, 2013 |
RACK SYSTEM FOR POWER STORAGE BATTERY MODULES
Abstract
A rack system for power storage battery modules according to the
present disclosure includes a rack assembly configured in the form
capable of defining an entire accommodation area, where a plurality
of battery modules are accommodated in a multi-stage form; and a
plurality of rail frames coupled to the multi stages of the rack
assembly to support edges of the bottom surface of the battery
modules, wherein each of the battery modules has a bottom surface
on which rail fixing parts are provided corresponding to the
longitudinal direction of the rail frames and have an elastic
coupling projection at a location contacting the rail frames, and
when the battery modules are installed, the battery modules are
pressured toward the rail frames in a vertical direction to couple
the rail fixing parts to the rail frames.
Inventors: |
LEE; Bum-Hyun; (Seoul,
KR) ; PARK; Mi-Jung; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG Chem, Ltd |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG Chem, Ltd
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
47072893 |
Appl. No.: |
13/948902 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/KR2012/003176 |
Apr 25, 2012 |
|
|
|
13948902 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/236 ;
312/223.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 5/0213 20130101;
Y02E 60/10 20130101; H01M 2/1077 20130101; H05K 7/20 20130101; H05K
5/0221 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/236 ;
312/223.1 |
International
Class: |
H05K 5/02 20060101
H05K005/02; H05K 7/20 20060101 H05K007/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 25, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0038399 |
Claims
1. A rack system for power storage battery modules, which
comprises: a rack assembly configured in the form capable of
defining an entire accommodation area, where a plurality of battery
modules are accommodated in a multi-stage form; and a plurality of
rail frames coupled to the multi stages of the rack assembly to
support edges of the bottom surface of the battery modules, wherein
each of the battery modules has a bottom surface on which rail
fixing parts are provided corresponding to the longitudinal
direction of the rail frames and have an elastic coupling
projection at a location contacting the rail frames, and when the
battery modules are installed, the battery modules are pressured
toward the rail frames in a vertical direction to couple the rail
fixing parts to the rail frames.
2. The rack system for power storage battery modules according to
claim 1, wherein each of the rail fixing parts of the battery
modules is coupled to each of the rail frames by means of
snap-fitting.
3. The rack system for power storage battery modules according to
claim 2, wherein the rack assembly and the rail frames define an
accommodation area used for accommodating battery modules in a
multi stage form and having an open side, and the battery modules
snap-fitted with the rail frames are detachable through the open
side of each stage.
4. The rack system for power storage battery modules according to
claim 2, wherein the rail fixing parts of the battery modules are
disposed between the rail frames and have a structure in which the
coupling projection protrudes outwards.
5. The rack system for power storage battery modules according to
claim 2, wherein the rail fixing parts of the battery modules are
disposed at the outside of the rail frames and have a structure in
which the coupling projection protrudes inwards.
6. The rack system for power storage battery modules according to
claim 2, wherein each of the rail frames has a groove concaving
inwards, and the coupling projection of the rail fixing parts of
the battery modules is sized to insert into the groove of each rail
frame.
7. The rack system for power storage battery modules according to
claim 1, wherein the rack assembly includes: a plurality of
vertical rack frames respectively elongated in a vertical direction
at four corners of the rack assembly to define an entire
accommodation area of the battery modules; and panels attached to
the outside of the vertical rack frames, wherein edges of each of
the rail frames are respectively fixed to the vertical rack frames
so that the rail frames have a multi-stage form.
8. The rack system for power storage battery modules according to
claim 7, wherein the rack assembly further includes: a plurality of
horizontal rack frames respectively coupled to the right and left
vertical rack frames in a multi-stage form to define the height of
each stage for loading the battery modules, wherein edges of each
of the rail frames are respectively fixed to the horizontal rack
frames so that the rail frames have a multi-stage form.
9. The rack system for power storage battery modules according to
claim 8, wherein the bottom surface of the edges of each rail frame
is respectively fixed to the horizontal rack frames, and wherein
the horizontal rack frames support a battery module so that battery
modules accommodated in a multi-stage form may not be detached
through the open side.
10. The rack system for power storage battery modules according to
claim 1, wherein each of the battery modules has a ventilating slot
which allows air to flow between the top and bottom surfaces
thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of International
Application No. PCT/KR2012/003176 filed on Apr. 25, 2012, which
claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0038399
filed in the Republic of Korea on Apr. 25, 2011, the disclosures of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a rack system for power
storage battery modules, and more particularly, to a rack system
for power storage battery modules, which allows easy assembly of
unit battery modules and improved cooling efficiency in a
high-voltage and large-capacity power storage system required for
establishing a power network such as a smart grid or a power
storage system for power backup, industry use, or home use.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Generally, a smart grid is seen as a next-generation power
network which applies information technology (IT) to the existing
power system so that a smart grid observes and controls a power
network in real time and optimizes the operation efficiency of the
power network through the bidirectional communication between power
providers and consumers. In addition, a smart grid can be used in
association with new electric equipments that are recently in great
demand, such as a renewable energy generation system or a charge
system for electric vehicles, and can improve power utilization
efficiency by providing consumers' power usage information in real
time, thereby decreasing unnecessary investment in power facilities
and emission of greenhouse gases. Recently, smart grids have gained
much attention due to issues of the modernization of a power
network and the expansion of a renewable energy which have led to
the extensive research of a smart grid.
[0004] One of the key technologies in relation to a smart grid is a
power storage system. A power storage system provides load leveling
by storing electric power during off-peak periods and using the
stored power during on-peak periods, thereby contributing to the
efficient use of power equipments. Conventionally, a pumped-storage
power generation, which converts nocturnal surplus power into
kinetic energy of water and saves the kinetic energy, and a
chemical energy storage method, which combines multiple lead-acid
battery cells to each other in series or in parallel, were commonly
used.
[0005] However, a pumped-storage power generation absorbs enormous
construction costs, since it requires large quantities of water and
particular geographical conditions. In the case of a lead-acid
battery cell, due to low energy storage density, a high-voltage and
large-capacity power storage system cannot be established.
Meanwhile, with the development of a lithium-ion battery having
high energy density, a high-voltage and large-capacity power
storage system by using a chemical energy storage method is now
possible.
[0006] A power storage system using a chemical energy storage
method includes battery modules configured with lithium ion
batteries having high energy density, and a predetermined number of
the battery modules are electrically connected to each other and
loaded in a rack system with a multi-stage form.
[0007] In order to load battery modules, a rack system should
maintain certain temperature and humidity; be ventilated well; and
facilitate easy maintenance and repair.
[0008] A conventional rack system of a power storage system where
battery modules are loaded will be explained below with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a
conventional rack system of battery modules.
[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional rack system 10 includes
a rack assembly 13 having frames 11 and panels 12, and a plurality
of shelves 14 on which a predetermined number of battery modules 1
are installed in a multi-stage form. The plurality of shelves 14
are fixed to the frames 11 of the rack assembly 13 to have a
multi-stage form.
[0011] In the conventional rack system 10, since the bottom of each
battery module 1 directly contacts the shelf 14, the bottom of the
battery modules 1 cannot ventilate. Also, in the conventional rack
system 10, the battery module 1 is positioned to match a coupling
hole 15 formed in the shelf 14 and the battery module 1 is fixed
with the shelf 14 by using a coupling member 16 such as a bolt.
However, such a structure requires space expansion, and the
assembly of such a conventional rack system 10 is inconvenient.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0012] The present disclosure is designed in consideration of the
problems of the prior art, and therefore it is an object of the
present disclosure to provide a rack system for power storage
battery modules, which may allow battery modules to be easily
assembled in a rack system and ensure an air path through the
bottom surfaces of the battery modules.
Technical Solution
[0013] In order to accomplish the above object, the present
disclosure provides a rack system for power storage battery
modules, including a rack assembly configured in the form capable
of defining an entire accommodation area, where a plurality of
battery modules are accommodated in a multi-stage form; and a
plurality of rail frames coupled to the multi-stages of the rack
assembly to support edges of the bottom surface of the battery
modules, wherein each of the battery modules has a bottom surface
on which rail fixing parts are provided corresponding to the
longitudinal direction of the rail frames and have an elastic
coupling projection at a location contacting the rail frames, and
when the battery modules are installed, the battery modules are
pressured toward the rail frames in a vertical direction to couple
the rail fixing parts to the rail frames.
[0014] Preferably, each of the rail fixing parts of the battery
modules is coupled to each of the rail frames by means of
snap-fitting.
[0015] Preferably, the rack assembly and the rail frames define an
accommodation area used for accommodating battery modules in a
multi-stage form and having an open side, and the battery modules
snap-fitted with the rail frames are detachable through the open
side of each stage.
[0016] Preferably, the rail fixing parts of the battery modules may
be disposed between the rail frames and have a structure in which
the coupling projection protrudes outwards, and the rail fixing
parts of the battery module may be disposed at the outside of the
rail frames and have a structure in which the coupling projection
protrudes inwards.
[0017] Preferably, each of the rail frames has a groove concaving
inwards, and the coupling projection of the rail fixing parts of
the battery modules is sized to insert into the groove of each rail
frame.
[0018] Preferably, the rack assembly includes a plurality of
vertical rack frames respectively elongated in a vertical direction
at four corners of the rack assembly to define an entire
accommodation area of the battery modules; and panels attached to
the outside of the vertical rack frames, wherein edges of each of
the rail frames are respectively fixed to the vertical rack frames
so that the rail frames have a multi-stage form.
[0019] Alternatively, the rack assembly further includes a
plurality of horizontal rack frames respectively coupled to the
right and left vertical rack frames in a multi-stage form to define
the height of each stage for loading the battery modules, wherein
edges of each of the rail frames are respectively fixed to the
horizontal rack frames so that the rail frames have a multi-stage
form.
[0020] Preferably, the bottom surface of the edges of each rail
frame is respectively fixed to the horizontal rack frames, and the
horizontal rack frames support a battery module so that battery
modules accommodated in a multi-stage form may not be detached
through the open side.
[0021] Preferably, each of the battery modules has a ventilating
slot which allows air to flow between the top and bottom surfaces
thereof.
Advantageous Effects
[0022] According to the present disclosure, since a rack system
includes a rail-shaped shelf, battery modules may be easily
assembled in the rack system without using a separate coupling
member. Also, without expanding the space of the rack system, an
airflow path may be ensured through the bottom surfaces of battery
modules. That is, the space may be optimally utilized with high
cooling efficiency of battery modules, thereby increasing stability
and reliability of a power storage system, which adopts power
storage battery modules.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] Other objects and aspects of the present disclosure will
become apparent from the following descriptions of the embodiments
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a
conventional rack system for battery modules;
[0025] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a rack system
for power storage battery modules according to a first embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view showing the bottom
surface of the battery module of FIG. 2;
[0027] FIG. 4 are partial cross-sectional views showing various
embodiments of rail frames of FIG. 2 and battery modules installed
on the rail frames;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a view showing an airflow path in a rack system
for power storage battery modules according to the present
disclosure; and
[0029] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a rack system
for power storage battery modules according to a second embodiment
of the present disclosure.
BEST MODE
[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. Prior to the description, it should be understood that
the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should
not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings, but
interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to
technical aspects of the present disclosure on the basis of the
principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms
appropriately for the best explanation. Therefore, the description
proposed herein is just a preferable example for the purpose of
illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of the
disclosure, so it should be understood that other equivalents and
modifications could be made thereto without departing from the
spirit and scope of the disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a rack system
for power storage battery modules according to a first embodiment
of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view
showing the bottom surface of the battery module of FIG. 2; FIG. 4
are partial cross-sectional views showing various embodiments of
rail frames of FIG. 2 and battery modules installed on the rail
frames; and FIG. 5 is a view showing an airflow path in a rack
system for power storage battery modules according to the present
disclosure.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, the rack system 100 for power storage
battery modules according to the first embodiment of the present
disclosure includes a rack assembly 110 configured in the form
capable of defining an entire accommodation area, where a plurality
of battery modules 1 are accommodated in a multi-stage form; and a
plurality of rail frames 120 coupled to the multi stages of the
rack assembly 110 to support edges of the bottom surface of the
battery modules 1.
[0033] Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 2, the rack system 100
may further include a cooling device for cooling the battery
modules 1, lines for electrically connecting the battery modules 1
with one another, and a controller for performing a charge or
discharge action and a protection action of each battery module
1.
[0034] The present disclosure is characterized to have a coupling
structure between the rack system 100 and the battery modules 1, so
details regarding the component not shown in FIG. 2 will not be
described herein.
[0035] The rack assembly 110 includes a plurality of vertical rack
frames 111 respectively elongated in a vertical direction at four
corners of the rack assembly 110 to define an entire accommodation
area of the battery modules 1, and in order to make the rail frames
120 have a multi-stage form, edges of the rail frame 120 are
respectively fixed to the vertical rack frames 111.
[0036] Also, the rack assembly 110 and the rail frames 120 define
an accommodation area used for accommodating battery modules 1 in a
multi-stage form and having an open side, and at least one battery
module 1 is loaded in each stage.
[0037] Meanwhile, in order to protect the battery modules 1 loaded
in the rack assembly 110, the rack assembly 110 may be coupled with
panels 113, which are attached to the outside of the vertical rack
frame 111 to form the appearance of the rack system 100.
[0038] The battery module 1 includes a plurality of battery
rechargeable cells as an electric power storage unit, and the
battery cells are electrically connected to each other. A battery
cell includes an electric double layer capacitor having an ultra
capacitor, or a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, a
lithium polymer battery, a Ni--Cd battery, a Ni--MH battery, a
Ni--Zn battery, or the like.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, the battery module 1 includes rail
fixing parts 200 at the bottom surface thereof. The rail fixing
parts 200 are provided corresponding to the longitudinal direction
of the rail frames 120 and have a wedge-shaped coupling projection
210 made of an elastic material at a location contacting the rail
frame 120. In this configuration, when the battery modules 1 are
installed, the battery modules are pressured toward the rail frames
120 in the vertical direction to couple the rail fixing parts 200
to the rail frames 120 by means of snap-fitting. Also, a battery
module 1 has a ventilating slot 230 so that air may flow between
the top and bottom surfaces thereof, thereby giving an airflow
channel allowing air circulation in each battery module 1. The
plurality of battery cells included in the battery module 1 are
installed in a cell receiving region (not shown) provided between
adjacent ventilating slots 230. The heat generated from the cells
in the cell receiving region may be transferred to the air which
flows through the ventilating slot 230.
[0040] Meanwhile, the coupling between the rail fixing parts 200 of
the battery modules 1 and the rail frames 120 may have a structure
in which the rail fixing parts 200 are disposed between a pair of
rail frames 120 and the coupling projection 210 protrudes outwards
(FIG. 4a), or a structure in which the rail fixing parts 200 are
disposed at the outside of a pair of the rail frames 120 and the
coupling projection 210 protrudes inwards (FIG. 4b), or a structure
in which rail frames 120c having a groove concaving inwards are
adopted and the coupling projection 210 of the rail fixing parts
200 is formed to insert into the groove of the rail frame 120c
(FIG. 4c). However, the present disclosure is not limited to the
arrangement of the rail fixing parts and the shape of the coupling
projection of the battery modules shown in FIG. 4, and thus it is
obvious that various modifications may be applied thereto.
[0041] In the present disclosure, the rail fixing parts 200 of the
battery module 1 are coupled to the rail frames 120 by means of
snap fitting, the battery module 1 is not detached even though the
battery module 1 is pulled out in a direction opposite to the
coupling direction. Therefore, the battery modules 1 may be
assembled with the rack system 100 without using a coupling member
separately. Meanwhile, in order to detach the battery modules 1
from the rack system 100, the battery module 1 may be slid right or
left on the rail frames 120 so that the battery module 1 is
detached through the open sides located at the ends of the rail
frames 120. At this time, while the battery modules 1 are kept in a
fixed state, it is preferred to separately use a mean for fixing
the battery modules 1, in order to support the battery modules 1
placed at the side ends of the rail frames 120 so that the battery
module does not detach from the accommodation area through the open
sides.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, the present disclosure may ensure an
airflow path through the bottom surfaces of battery modules 1. The
airflow path works for efficiently cooling the battery modules 1
along with the ventilating slot 230 formed in the top and bottom
portions of the battery modules 1. Also, the airflow path may be
ensured without expanding a separate space apart from the frame
members for loading the battery modules 1.
[0043] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a rack system
for power storage battery modules according to a second embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 6, the rack system 100 for power storage
battery modules according to the second embodiment of the present
disclosure further includes a plurality of horizontal rack frames
112. The horizontal rack frames 112 are respectively coupled in
pairs to both right and left sides of the vertical rack frames 111
in a multi-stage form to define the height of each stage of the
battery modules 1, in addition to the frame members included in the
rack assembly 110.
[0045] The horizontal rack frames 112 are respectively fixed to the
bottom edge of the rail frame 120 so that the rail frames 120 have
a multi-stage form. Also, the horizontal rack frames 112 support
the battery modules 1 disposed in each stage of the accommodation
area so that the battery module may not detach through the open
side. To achieve this, after the battery modules 1 are loaded on
the bottom shelf, the horizontal frame 112 is placed at the top of
the battery modules 1 loaded at the bottom shelf, and the
horizontal frame 112 is height-adjusted or assembled to prevent the
detachment of the battery module. By using the same method as
described above, every stage of the accommodation area are
sequentially filled with battery modules 1, and thus, all battery
modules 1 may be loaded in the rack system 100.
[0046] The rack system according to the present disclosure may be
applied to all sorts of power systems, such as a power storage
system for a smart grid, a power storage system for industry use,
home use, energy charge station use, etc., a power storage system
for backup use, or the like.
[0047] The present disclosure has been described in detail.
However, it should be understood that the detailed description and
specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the
disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various
changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
this detailed description.
* * * * *